The prison is where Marie-Antoinette spent her last 6 weeks before being guillotined age 38 on 16 October, 1793.
Its on Ile de Cité, not far from me but I haven't visited since I was 18. Tuesday morning I was there opening time. *Its always a good idea in Paris, to see something new as fast as you can, before word out and the long lines form. This will be a busy exhibit.
It begins with her imprisonment. M-A's hair is said to have turned white overnight, true or untrue I don't know. The exhibit is terrifically interactive with audio. And famous film clips in a mini movie theater.
Great for kids. I'm happy to say the exhibit is in both French/English equally. Hooray. There is tons of historic info, documents, her last letters, books written about her etc. But the main focus is on her image's influence over time as a celebrity in her day. And the heroine she became post-death. She was, of course demonized during the French revolution.
How to present her in the October letter? A montage of images?
We know her well as the young Austrian archduchess thanks to Sophia Coppola's film.
Then as the young queen painted by Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun. Later as la bonne maman. And enfin, as a prisoner of la Conciergerie.
Her image is represented n Japanese manga, Miss Piggy. Laduree has milked her style to the 9s in its packaging. Its all there and great fun.
The gift shop is terrific. If you need a gift for a Marie-Antoinette fanatic get them a letter subscription. Why not? Thanks for reading and sharing Paris breakfasts.
From Paris with love ❤️ Xxx🥂🐻
Marie-Antoinette monogram Limoges cup & saucer.
